Sheffield Wednesday: Owls ponder move for Robins chief

Dom Howson

Sheffield Wednesday are weighing up a move for Swindon Town boss Mark Cooper as they look to reshape their coaching staff.

All bookmakers have now closed their markets on the identity of the next Owls head coach, with little-known Portuguese coach Carlos Carvalhal the odds on favourite to succeed Stuart Gray, who was axed last Thursday.

It is understood, though, that the Championship club have held tentative discussions with Cooper’s representatives over the possibility of the Robins chief joining their coaching team, although they have yet to make a formal approach.

Cooper, recently linked with the vacant managerial position across the Steel City at Sheffield United prior to Nigel Adkins’ appointment, has seen his odds in the betting for the head coach role slashed right down to 3-1 over the last 24 hours.

However, sources in Wiltshire say Cooper is believed to be on Wednesday’s radar as a possible assistant to a head coach. The Owls are thought to be keen on adding to their backroom team, having also parted company with John Deehan following Gray’s sacking.

But it is understood Cooper, who has done an impressive job on a shoe-string of a budget at the County Ground, leading Robins to the League One play-off final last term, would prefer to remain a number one.

The Owls, who will host Mansfield in the first round of the Capital One Cup, appear to have identified Carvalhal as the person to take them forward and remain locked in talks with the former Sporting Lisbon and Besiktas boss. The 49-year-old has been out of work since 2012.

Meanwhile, the Football League fixture lists for the 2015/16 campaign will be released at 9am today.